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<blockquote data-quote="Brad Weber" data-source="post: 57861" data-attributes="member: 114">Re: Longframe/Bantam Patchbays and phantom power...I&#039;ve had theatre and performance venue projects, including schools, with a large number of microphone inputs, in some cases hundreds, spread around the venue but only a fraction of them used for any single show.&nbsp; Similar with tie lines, many terminations at the stage with a limited number in use at any time.&nbsp; Patching is a very practical, and common, solution for those situations even if digital consoles are used and especially if you are also splitting to address broadcast/recording or groups bringing in their own FOH and/or monitor consoles.&nbsp; In fact, I&#039;d say in some situations patching may be how a venue can support the number of physical connections they have and be able to afford a new digital console.I agree with Craig that standard practice is to patch with the phantom off and preferably with the console and even system off.&nbsp; The patching is usually used for preconfiguring the system before an event and isn&#039;t something you should plan on using too much during a performance, so patching with everything turned off is typically quite practical.I do try to use XLR patching for microphones if at all possible and have always managed to avoid using bantam patching for mics, although I have, due to the rack space available, had to use 1/4&quot; longframe patching for mics and bantam patchbays for tie lines.&nbsp; XLR patching addresses several issues such as making ground contact first, avoiding shorting during insertion and removal and being a locking connection.&nbsp; Another advantage of XLR patching is that you can use standard cables as a common issue with longframe and bantam patchbays is that the patchcords are not something one can necessarily buy at every local music store.&nbsp; This is particularly a concern with B-gauge longframe bays as people may try to use standard A-gauge 1/4&quot; TRS jacks and due to their larger tip and ring width those can bend or even break the spring terminals inside the bay.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Brad Weber, post: 57861, member: 114"] Re: Longframe/Bantam Patchbays and phantom power... I've had theatre and performance venue projects, including schools, with a large number of microphone inputs, in some cases hundreds, spread around the venue but only a fraction of them used for any single show. Similar with tie lines, many terminations at the stage with a limited number in use at any time. Patching is a very practical, and common, solution for those situations even if digital consoles are used and especially if you are also splitting to address broadcast/recording or groups bringing in their own FOH and/or monitor consoles. In fact, I'd say in some situations patching may be how a venue can support the number of physical connections they have and be able to afford a new digital console. I agree with Craig that standard practice is to patch with the phantom off and preferably with the console and even system off. The patching is usually used for preconfiguring the system before an event and isn't something you should plan on using too much during a performance, so patching with everything turned off is typically quite practical. I do try to use XLR patching for microphones if at all possible and have always managed to avoid using bantam patching for mics, although I have, due to the rack space available, had to use 1/4" longframe patching for mics and bantam patchbays for tie lines. XLR patching addresses several issues such as making ground contact first, avoiding shorting during insertion and removal and being a locking connection. Another advantage of XLR patching is that you can use standard cables as a common issue with longframe and bantam patchbays is that the patchcords are not something one can necessarily buy at every local music store. This is particularly a concern with B-gauge longframe bays as people may try to use standard A-gauge 1/4" TRS jacks and due to their larger tip and ring width those can bend or even break the spring terminals inside the bay. [/QUOTE]

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